Policy Information

As the name suggests, the "Confirmation Letter for Foreign High end Talents" is a visa channel provided by China to foreign high-level talents and urgently needed talents for the country's economic and social development needs. At the same time, it is also to implement the more active, open, and effective talent policies of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, and further expand and relax the scope and deadline of talent visa issuance.

Foreign high-level talents and urgently needed talents who meet the requirements of China's economic and social development, such as scientists, technology leaders, international entrepreneurs, specialized talents, and high skilled talents, who meet the criteria for foreign high-end talents in the "Classification Standards for Foreigners to Work in China (Trial)" and meet the requirements of "high precision, acute shortage" and market demand orientation, can apply for the talent R visa. Below, we will also introduce the relevant information, For everyone to better understand.

Applicable scope

This guide applies to the "Confirmation Letter for Foreign High end Talents" for foreign talent visas (hereinafter referred to as the "R visa") that are legally established within the territory of the People's Republic of China.

Processing basis

（1） Article 16 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that visas are divided into diplomatic visas, courtesy visas, official visas, and ordinary visas. For foreigners who enter China for non diplomatic or official reasons such as work, study, family visits, tourism, business activities, talent introduction, etc., corresponding types of ordinary visas shall be issued. The types and issuance methods of ordinary visas shall be stipulated by the State Council.

（2） Article 6 of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners stipulates that ordinary visas are divided into the following categories and corresponding Chinese pinyin letters are indicated on the visas. The R visa is issued to foreign high-level talents and urgently needed specialized talents who are needed by the country.

Article 7 stipulates that in applying for the R-visa, the applicant shall meet the conditions and requirements for the introduction of high-level foreign talents and urgently needed specialized talents determined by the relevant competent departments of the Chinese government, and submit corresponding proof materials in accordance with regulations.

（3） Notice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs on the Issuance of the Implementation Measures for the Foreign Talent Visa System (WZF [2017] No. 218).

Handling agency

（1） Name of accepting institution

The talent service center of prefecture level cities is responsible for accepting and reviewing.

（2） Issuing Authority

The Foreign Experts Bureau of prefecture level cities is responsible for making decisions.

Application conditions

（1） Basic conditions for inviting units

1. If it is established in accordance with the law, has actual business premises, pays taxes in accordance with the law, pays social insurance, and has no record of serious illegal or dishonest behavior, and is required to be approved by the industry regulatory department in advance according to laws and regulations, approval is required.

（2） Basic conditions of the applicant

1. They should be at least 18 years old, in good health, without a criminal record, have a confirmed invitation unit within the country, and have a good credit record.

2. Foreign high-level talents and urgently needed talents that meet the needs of national economic and social development, as well as scientists, technology leaders, international entrepreneurs, specialized talents, and high skilled talents that meet the "high precision, sharp shortage" and market demand orientation, should meet the criteria for foreign high-end talents (Class A) in the "Classification Standards for Foreigners' Work in China (Trial)". The State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security, may adjust the criteria for identifying foreign high-end talents in a timely manner based on the needs of economic and social development and the supply and demand of talent resources.

3. If there are other provisions in laws and regulations regarding foreigners working in China, such provisions shall prevail.

Application materials

（1） Formal standards

All original paper materials and Chinese translations must be uploaded electronically to the foreigner work management service system in China. Non Chinese proof materials must provide a Chinese translation and be stamped with the employer's official seal (excluding passports or international travel documents). Apply online throughout the entire process without the need to submit paper materials.

（2） Application Material Catalog

1. Invite units to register an account online

When inviting units to use the "Foreigner Work Management Service System" for the first time, they should register their unit account in the system, fill in relevant information about the unit online, and provide corresponding electronic materials (please refer to the Foreigner Work Permit Guidelines (Provisional) - Employers or Entrusted Specialized Service Institutions Online Registration Account). The system can only be used after successful authentication through the acceptance window. Units that have been registered in the "Foreigner Work Management Service System" do not need to register again.

2. Apply for the "Confirmation Letter for Foreign High end Talents" (in accordance with the "Classification Standards for Foreign Work in China", foreign high-end talents (Class A) can submit application materials).

Completion deadline

The accepting institution shall accept the "Confirmation Letter of Foreign High end Talents" submitted by the inviting unit within 1 working day from the date of material submission (excluding the date of material submission). The issuing institution shall review the accepted application for the "Confirmation Letter of Foreign High end Talents", make a decision within 5 working days, and notify the inviting unit.

Handling process

1. Apply online. Invite units to log in to the website of the National Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs' "Foreigners' Work Management Service System in China"（ http://www.safea.gov.cn ）Submit application information online and provide relevant electronic materials.

2. Online acceptance. The accepting institution shall decide whether to accept the application after online review. If the application materials for the application items are complete and meet the requirements, they shall be accepted within 1 working day from the date of submission (the date of material submission shall not be counted as the period). If the application materials are incomplete or do not comply with the legal form, the reasons and basis for not accepting them shall be explained. No longer submit paper materials for verification.

3. Online review. After online acceptance, the accepting institution shall conduct an examination within the prescribed time limit.

4. Online decisions. If the conditions and standards are met, the decision-making institution shall make a decision within 5 working days after the acceptance date and issue an online "Confirmation Letter for Foreign High end Talents". If the conditions and standards are not met, the reasons should be explained.

matters needing attention

（1） From the date of submitting the application online, the inviting unit can log in to the system to check the processing status and query decision results in real time. After the decision is approved, the "Confirmation Letter for Foreign High end Talents" can be directly printed online.

（2） The permission acceptance or decision-making agency may take measures such as face-to-face interviews, telephone inquiries, on-site investigations, and random inspections to verify the authenticity of application materials according to work needs.

（3） Apply for the R-visa with the "Confirmation Letter for Foreign High end Talents"

The applicant shall, within 6 months from the date of issuance of the "Confirmation Letter for Foreign High end Talents", present the confirmation letter and other materials to my embassy or consulate abroad and to the Office of the Special Commissioners of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. To apply for the R-visa, the following documents shall be submitted:

1. Visa application form;

2. My passport (valid for at least 6 months) and photos that meet the regulations;

3. Printed copy of the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High end Talents;

4. Other materials required by foreign embassies, consulates, or other agencies entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.